FOOTBALL Operations Manager Mark Evans will now have the power to refer incidents directly to the AFL Tribunal.

 

It is one of several amendments to the game's judiciary system that was revealed to the clubs on Monday.

 

The football operations manager has always possessed the power to lay a charge and grade an incident but now he can, if he chooses, send an incident directly to the Tribunal even after the Match Review Panel has graded it.

 

In July last year, after Adelaide's Shaun McKernan controversially received two weeks for striking West Coast's Brad Sheppard with an elbow in round 15, Evans admitted he was unsure where he stood in relation to referring matters to the Tribunal after they had been graded. 

 

In that incident, the MRP found McKernan's action was reckless rather than intentional. 

Under the 2014 system, Evans could refer such a matter directly to the Tribunal if he considered it necessary.

 

In other changes made, further clarity has been provided to the MRP on what constitutes a negligent, reckless and intentional action and how to grade the impact of a reportable offence as low, medium, high and severe will be more clearly defined.

 

Joel Bowden has also been added to the Match Review Panel, joining Des Gleeson and Mark Fraser, after Bryan Sheehan stood down because of his role as an AFL Umpire's assistant coach. 

Former Carlton player and long-serving AFL administration manager Rod Austin has also been invited back to assist the MRP in an advisory capacity when required.

 

Evans conducted an extensive review of the MRP and Tribunal system at the end of 2013 involving clubs, the AFL Players' Association, coaches and Tribunal personnel. 

He put forward several options for consideration but has decided to make minor amendments while continuing to conduct annual reviews of its operation.

 

"The AFL's review was centred around how can the system be simplified and more easily understood, as well as modified to produce more equitable and consistent results," Evans said.

 

The Match Review Panel system has been in place since 2005. In 2013, there were 157 charges laid with players suspended for a 104 games.

 

Meanwhile former Melbourne player David Neitz has been added to the panel of former players who can sit on the Tribunal while Ross Howie has become AFL Tribunal Deputy Chairman to replace the retired John Hassett.

 

Former Carlton defender Michael Sexton has also joined the panel of people who can sit on the AFL Appeals Board, replacing the retiring John Winneke.